Nova Artist snags 32nd career victory

For the second straight week, Nova Artist recreated a 1:50.4 victory to win the $30,000 Preferred Pace at Dover Downs, while Jeremy's Successor stepped up for a second consecutive victory, taking the $27,500 Delaware Special, the top two races on a powerful Thursday, Jan. 16, program.

Allan Davis put Nova Artist into high gear in the stretch and the son of Real Artist-Avon Lady overwhelmed five foes for a 1:50.2 triumph in the week's top pace. Eddie Davis, the Delaware Valley's all-time leading driver, now retired from driving for the most part, trains and owns Nova Artist with his wife Kathy. The win was the 32nd career score for the 7-year-old who now has banked $798,167 lifetime.

Ultra-consistent Adventure Bound closed with Ron Pierce to finish second. Texican N and Ross Wolfenden closed with a rush for third. The win was the fifth top-class event won by Nova Artist, a former Dover Downs Horse of the Meet.

Jeremy's Successor made good use of starting from post 1 as Trace Tetrick was content to sit behind front-stepping Sunshine Superman (Toby Lynch) and race–favorite Mustang Art (Ron Pierce), who battled head-to-head for much of the race. Tetrick then pulled out in the stretch to overtake the leaders en route to a 1:51.4 victory in the $27,500 Del. Special. It was the 10-year-old Mach Three-Gentle Audrey gelding's third win in his last four outings. Jeremy's Successor is trained by Crissy Bier for Heavenly Ways Sstable. Sunshine Superman put in a gritty showing to finish second in front of fast finishing Papa Ray (Ross Wolfenden), third.

GD Airliner, a recent addition for owner Howard Taylor, moved strongly after the half to challenge leader Summer Camp (Chris Page) and go on for a 1:51.2 score in the $20,000 Male Winners-Over Pace. Meet-leading driver Corey Callahan was in the bike behind the Dylan Davis-conditioned Panspaciflight-MacKenzie Beth gelding. Believe This Bob (Montrell Teague) closed to take second in front of Summer Camp.

Baron Racing and VIP Internet stable's All Stienam also won for the second-straight time, scoring a 1:51.4 win in a $17,500 4&5-Year-Old Open Pace. Page drove the Tell Me-Odds On Stienam gelding to his third victory in his last five starts. Lindwood Player (Corey Callahan) and Just Bettor (Trace Tetrick) were second and third, respectively.

Corey Callahan drove Gary Ewing's ad Man Sam to a 1:52.1 victory in a $25,000-$30,000 Claiming Handicap. Callahan had a four-bagger for the second consecutive night. Allan Davis collected three winners while Trace Tetrick won two. (Dover)